"Sorry, Snorri. I'm sorry, anak."
My father tried to touch my arm but I backed away. His sorry alone won't erase the fact that he wants me to abort my child. His grandchild.
Ito na siguro iyong isa sa ugali ko na hindi na mababago. Kapag may masakit na sinabi ang isang tao sa akin, hindi ko ito agad nakakalimutan kahit pa nanghingi sila ng sorry. May mga tao kasi na kinakalimutan na lang agad ang mga masasakit na salita sa kanila. Lalo na kapag nanggaling sa magulang.
Not me. No. They are my parents. They should have supported me! Ibang-iba na ito sa suportang hinihingi ko sa kanila nang bata pa lang ako! A child is involved here. A human being. Their grandchild.
"It's okay if you won't accept my apology. Gusto ko lang na bawiin mo iyong sinabi mo. You're still my child. You're still my only daughter. And I am your father," his eyes got teary.
"What happened?" naguguluhan naman na tanong ni Mommy.
Aaminin ko na sa kanilang dalawa ni Mommy, mas naging maayos naman na magulang si Daddy sa akin. I know he cared for me. I know he loves me. Although, he's not just showy. But I felt it.
Nagalit lang talaga ako sa kanya noon dahil mas hinihingi ko ang pagmamahal ni Mommy. At hindi niya iyon maibigay dahil sa kanya. He's not the best, but he's a good father to me.
"Don't worry. Hindi naman kita itinatakwil. But I can't forgive you yet," I said coldly.
"It's fine! Araw-araw akong hihingi ng sorry sa iyo at sa apo ko," he said and then he looked at my stomach.
"What did you do this time, Vergel?" my Mommy asked.
"Never mind it, Mommy. Let's go inside. I'm tired."
Agad akong inalalayan ni Kyner. I smiled a bit at pumasok na kami sa loob ng aming bahay. Pinaupo ako ni Kyner sa aming sofa. Pagkalapat ng likod ko sa sofa ay 'tsaka na ako nakaramdam ng pagod.
I touched my stomach. I'll call my OB later and have her check my baby. Even though I'm fine, I just want to make sure that my baby's fine.
"Ma'am, pwede ko po bang papuntahin dito ang Mama ko?" tanong ni Kyner.
Natigilan si Mommy. Habang si Daddy naman ay halatang natuwa at gusto na agad pumayag. He just stopped himself from talking. I rolled my eyes.
"S-sure!" sabi ni Mommy. "Magpapahanda na ako ng makakain!"
"Thank you," Kyner said politely.
Umalis si Mommy kasabay si Daddy. I looked at Kyner. Why his mother is coming here? What is he planning? Alam kong pumayag man si Mommy, eh hindi pa rin ito payag na pumunta siya rito.
"Let's talk about us," Kyner said as I was about to ask him. "I want you to marry me again, Snorri. This time, in front of our family and relatives. I also want the world to know about our marriage."
Tumaas ang kilay ko. Sa tono niya, hindi siya nagtatanong, but rather, it seems like he's demanding me to marry him. Though, wala naman akong pagtutol doon at gusto ko rin naman siyang pakasalan.
"Gusto kong kasal na tayo bago pa lumabas ang anak natin."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "You already knew?!"
Kahit na may kutob na akong may alam na siya, nagulat pa rin ako na malaman na alam na nga niya. At sigurado pa siya.
"I didn't use protection when we made love. And I made sure that I poured all of me inside of you," he smirked.
Hindi ko alam pero nag-init ang pisngi ko dahil doon. Hindi lang pisngi pati na rin buong katawan ko! The hell?
"Eh malay mo ako pala ang may contraceptives na gamit?"
"Wala kang ginagamit," sigurado niyang sagot. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mga mata ko. Tama naman siya. Pero paano niya kaya alam? "Alam ko ang bawat kilos mo. Alam ko kung ano ang mga gusto at ayaw mo. I know everything about you."
Kung hindi lang si Kyner ang nagsasabi niyan, I'm sure I'll have goosebumps all over my body. Tunog stalker. Pero dahil siya si Kyner at pogi siya, nakakakilig iyon para sa akin.
"Are you my stalker?" I joked. He just smirked. "But yes. I'm eight weeks pregnant."
He stared at me. I'm waiting for him to say something but he's just staring at me. Para bang hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Medyo awang pa ang labi at nakatulala sa akin. He looked cute.
"Oh? Hindi ba, alam mo na? Bakit nakatulala ka pa riyan at mukhang gulat?"
"I was still not one hundred percent sure, but it already made me happy. Pero ngayon, iba pa rin talaga ang saya kapag narinig ko ito mula sa iyo."
My lips twitched a bit. Meron din talagang parte sa akin na akala ko, hindi niya tatanggapin ang anak namin dahil may iba siyang mahal. Pero ngayon, naisip ko na tatanggapin niya ito, may mahal man siyang iba o ako lang.
Kyner took my hand and kissed the back of it. He then looked into my eyes. "Thank you, Snorri. For making me the happiest. Pangako kong aalagaan, iingatan at mamahalin ko kayo habang buhay. I will make sure that our child will witness my undying love for you. I'll always tell our child that you're the only one that I've ever loved. That I will only love you."
He knows my past. At ayaw niya na ulit mangyari sa aming magiging pamilya iyong nangyari sa akin, sa mga magulang ko.
"Marry me again, Snorri. I don't care if you'll deceive me again--"
"I'll never do that again!" I interrupted.
"Kagaya ng sinabi ko, wala akong pakialam kung gawin mo man. Your lies may have scorched my heart, but I want you to know that I'll let you set my heart and soul in fire again. Anytime as you want, Snorri. Anytime."
Namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko. Oh how it feels so good. To love and to be loved. How love, is the warmest place in a frozen world, and an ocean in a world on fire.
"Pakasalan mo ako, Snorri. Please," he said again. But this time, he's begging.
I nodded my head. "I'll marry you. Again."
He gave me a smile. A smile that came both from his eyes and mouth. He rarely smile. But when he did, it always took my breath away. Especially when he's smirking. So gwapo.
A call from his phone resonated. He quickly looked at his phone before he looked at me.
"Tumatawag si Mama. Nandito na siguro siya," he said.
Agad akong napatayo. "Hindi pa ako nakakapag-ayos!"
"You're beautiful."
"I know, right? Pero tignan mo nga ang itsura ko! Kakagaling ko pa nga lang sa pagkaka-kidnapped!" napansin ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya dahil doon. "I'm a mess, Kyner! I need at least to look presentable before facing your mother!"
Sakto at nakita ko si Mommy na pababa na ng hagdan. Kasunod si Daddy na bihis na bihis na akala mo ay presidente ng Pilipinas ang haharapin. Amoy na amoy ko pa ang pabango mula rito. I wrinkled my nose.
"Sunduin mo na ang Mama mo. Magbibihis lang ako," paalam ko at umalis na.
"She's here?" narinig kong sabay na sinabi ni Mommy at Daddy.
I took a quick shower. Mabilis ang pagkilos ko pero nag-iingat pa rin ako. I wore a casual dress. Naglagay na rin ako ng kaunting make-up lang. Maglalagay sana ako ng paborito kong pabango nang pagbukas ko pa lang ng takip nito ay napatakip na ako ng ilong. I immediately close its lid and put it inside my drawer. I didn't like the smell of it anymore. Mukhang hindi ko muna ito magagamit.
Bumaba na rin ako agad nang matapos mag-ayos. Narinig ko agad ang boses ni Kyner. Nagulat ako nang makita na narito rin ang ama ni Kyner! He's here too! And he's with his wife!
Tinignan ko silang lahat. Maayos naman silang nakaupo sa aming living room. Seryoso lang ang mga mukha at paminsan-minsan ay sumusulyap sa bawat isa.
Kyner's father is talking to Kyner. While his mother is just looking at Kyner. My mother and Kyner's stepmother are staring at their husband. And my father kept glancing at Trinity! Halatang-halata! Napailing na lang ako. Wala na akong magagawa sa nararamdaman niya.
Alam ko naman na may sama pa rin sila ng loob kay Trinity, my mother and Kyner's stepmother. Mabuti nga at hindi pa sila nag-aaway o kaya wala pang nag-wa-walk out sa kanila. But maybe, they think that it is for Kyner and I. So, they need to behave.
Napatayo si Kyner nang makita ako. Napalingon naman silang lahat sa akin. He immediately came to me and put his hand at the small of my back.
"Ayos ka lang ba, Snorri?" tanong ni Tita Trinity. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala.
"I'm fine po," I smiled.
"Train your guard well, Kyner. Para hindi na iyon maulit pa," sabi naman ng kanyang ama.
"Bantayan mo mabuti si Snorri, Kyner. Para hindi siya maagaw," my father said meaningfully. He even glanced at Kyner's father!
Kyner nodded at them then he looked at me. "I promise that will never happen again."
"Mabuti naman at maayos ka," sabi ni Tita Trinity.
Pinaupo ako ni Kyner habang siya ay tumayo sa gilid ko. Tiningala ko siya. Nakita kong nakatingin na siya sa mga magulang ko. His expression was serious and full of determination.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kravei, hindi na po ako magpapaligoy pa. I want to properly ask Snorri's hand for marriage," Kyner said straight to the point.
My father's chuckled a bit. "You married her without our consent. May naalala tuloy ako na pinatulan pa kahit may mahal naman iba iyong tao."
I facepalm.
I want to shout and tell him to shut up. Halatang-halata kung sino ang pinariringgan! Mabuti na lang at wala naman reaksyon iyong ama ni Kyner kahit alam niyang siya iyong pinariringgan. Ang stepmother naman ni Kyner ay medyo napapataas lang ang isang kilay pero hindi rin naman kumikibo.
My father is a classy person. Never siyang gumawa ng mga childish act! This side of him is new to me too. Napailing na lang ako.
"Oh! I gladly give you guys my blessing!" my Mommy said happily.
My mother hold my hand and smiled at me. I smiled at her too. Then she smiled at Kyner.
She added, "Hindi dahil magiging magkumare kami ni Trinity at titigil na ang Daddy ni Snorri dahil doon. But because I want my daughter to be happy. And she's happy with you, Kyner," she said in a low voice that only the three of us can hear.
Oh I don't think our marriage would prevented his feelings. Ayos lang sa akin kung mahal niya pa. Hindi lang magiging ayos kung susubukan niya pa rin makipaglapit pa ulit dito.
We all looked at my father. He was now staring blankly at Kyner. Until he slowly nod his head. He didn't say anything. He just nod his head but that's okay. Hindi naman importante sa akin kung papayag siya o hindi. I'll marry Kyner whether he likes it or not. Pero dahil gusto ni Kyner na hingin ang kamay ko mula sa kanila properly, kaya ginagawa namin ito.
"So, when's the wedding?" Kyner's stepmother finally spoke.
"Dalawang linggo mula ngayon," Kyner said when he looked at me. "Or maybe a week?"
Nagulat man ako dahil sa bilis, hindi na rin ako tumutol pa dahil gusto ko na rin naman makasal ulit sa kanya. Iyong kasal na hindi patago. Iyong kasal na alam ng mga nakakakilala sa amin. Kasal na gusto ko ang theme. Kasal na kasama ang mga mahal namin sa buhay.
"Mas maaga, mas maganda," my mother said.
Natapos naman ng maayos ang pag-uusap namin. Aside from my father who kept looking at Trinity, and his nonsense na pagpaparinig sa ama ni Kyner, all turns out well. Pero alam ko na mag-aaway na naman sila ni Mommy mamaya.
"Bisita kayo minsan sa bahay, Kyner. Sa Batangas," Kyner's mother said.
"Kung magiging ayos lang kay Snorri ang bumiyahe, Ma," Kyner said.
"Oo nga pala, sorry. Sige, ako na lang ang dadalaw lagi kay Snorri. Hindi muna ako uuwi sa Batangas."
"I can ask my OB po, Tita."
She smiled warmly at me. "Mama na ang itawag mo sa akin."
The things I did to her in the past, I still can't forget about it. She doesn't deserve the hate. If she's still in love with my father or not, wala pa rin kami karapatan magalit sa kanya. Wala tayong karapatan magalit sa taong mahal ng taong mahal natin. Pwede tayo mainggit pero hindi tayo pwede magalit.
Depende na lang kung iyong babae ay naninira talaga ng pamilya. At hinahayaan lang ito nang lalaki. You can be mad at her all you want. You can hate her all you want. Pero huwag mong kakalimutan na may kasalanan din iyong lalaki kasi hinayaan niya. Nagpatukso siya. Ang lalaki ang mas may kasalanan kapag nagkaroon ng kabit.
I looked at my father's who was staring at Trinity. While my mother was staring at my father with sadness in her eyes.
I still feel sad about my mother's situation. Nang dahil sa amin ni Kyner, palagi ng makikita ni Daddy ang nanay niya. At hindi na iyan maiiwasan pa. Alam ni Mommy na mangyayari iyon pero tinanggap niya pa rin kaming dalawa. But as I said before, I had no control over my father's heart. I can't dictate him who to love.
I'll just hold on to Trinity's words. She won't wreck their marriage. Even though it's broken from the very beginning.
We got busy preparing for our wedding. Well, Kyner got busy preparing. Siya lahat nag-asikaso. Kung kailangan man ako, papapuntahin niya na lang rito sa aking condo. Pagpirma, pagpili ng design na gusto ko. Kahit sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi naman maselan ang pagbubuntis ko and I don't need a bedrest, ay talagang ayaw niya akong mapagod.
"So, you two are really married, huh? Akala ko pa naman maaagaw ko na si Kyner sa iyo nang naghiwalay kayo," nakangising sinabi ni Veronica.
"Even if you tried, you won't succeed," mayabang akong ngumisi.
"Oh you wanna bet? Give Kyner to me for a day. Babalik man siya sa iyo, para sabihin lang na hindi ka na niya papakasalan."
"You're so damn full of yourself girl!"
We laughed. But I know that she's just talk. Gusto niya lang talaga akong iniinis lagi. Pero syempre, hindi naman ako naiinis dahil nga alam ko ang ugali niya.
"Pero grabe! Totoo pala talaga iyong kumalat na balita na tinago mo talaga si Kyner Kertia sa Batangas! And we all believe that you guys were engaged and in love with each other!" sabi ni Naomi.
"What do you expect from a professional actress?" Timber said while smiling.
May mga taong gusto kami para sa isa't-isa. Hindi naman iyon maiiwasan sa showbiz. Pero kagaya nang sinabi ko, wala akong pakialam sa opinyon nila.
Veronica chuckled. "What do you expect from a fraud?"
"Snorri is a better actress than you," nang-iinis na sinabi ni Timber kay Veronica.
"Ang sakit kapag hindi ka pinili, ano?" Veronica said mockingly.
"Kayong dalawa na lang kaya mag-date?" Naomi said.
"Timber is not my type."
"Ayoko rin sa mga kagaya mo," he rebat.
They continued their bickering while I opened my cellphone. I finally posted Kyner on my social media accounts. It was a stolen picture. Kuha ko iyon habang may suot siyang apron sa kusina. Nakahalukipkip siya at nakasandal sa counter habang nakatingin sa kung saan.
"Ang gwapo ng asawa ni Snorri Kravei grabe!"
For the first time in using my accounts, ito na ata ang pinakamaraming comments na natanggap ko. Puro puri tungkol kay Kyner ang mga nababasa ko. Ang iba ay nagtatanong pa ng name niya, at kung may Instagram at Facebook daw ba siya.
Kyner only has Facebook and an email. Naka-private pa ang Facebook niya. Ang mga friends niya lang doon ay karamihan puro pinsan niya, pamilya, kaibigan ko at kaibigan niya at ibang pamilya ko rin. And his profile picture was a picture of us.
"Here's Kyner!" said Naomi.
I looked up and found his eyes already looking at me. A smile broke out into my face. Lately, all I've been craving is too see him. To hug him and to kiss him. Hindi ko maiwasan mawala sa mood kapag hindi ko siya nakikita ng isang araw.
Lalo na iyong isang araw na naging busy siya kasi inaasikaso niya iyong sa kasal namin at iyong mga tauhan niya. I heard Kyner fired some of his men. Especially the guy who shot the car I was in during the kidnapping. And banned them from entering or applying in Corvan's company. Or anything related about their field of work. Buti na nga lang daw at iyon lang ang ginawa niya sa kanila sa pagiging incompetent nila.
So, I was frowning and bad trip the whole day. Wala rin ako gana sa lahat. Pero pag-uwi niya, agaran ang pagbabago ng mood ko. I told him that. Kaya bumawi siya agad sa akin! And after that, he made sure that I'll still be able to see him. Halos isang oras pa lang yata siya nawawala tapos magpapakita na siya agad sa akin! Kahit pa busy siya ay talagang uuwi siya sa akin para makita ko!
"Kyner! Are you really sure about marrying Snorri?" sabi agad ni Veronica.
Kyner gave me a quick kiss and turned to my friends. Napanguso ako dahil bitin iyong halik niya. He saw that that's why he chuckled. Gwapo na sa si Kyner noon, pero feeling ko, mas lalo siyang gumwapo ngayon! He's so handsome and I can't stop looking at his face! I could stare at him all day long and will never get tired!
"Baka lang magbago pa ang isip mo! I'm willing to be the bride!" Veronica giggled.
"Shut up. You're not his type!" I said. "Why don't you marry Timber instead?"
"I refused!" they both said.
"How are you?" napaangat ako ng tingin kay Kyner. He touched my stomach. I felt a spark. "How's our baby?"
"We are fine. Nakita ka na kasi namin," I said sweetly.
He smiled. Natuwa ako kaya hinila ko siya palapit sa akin para mahalikan ulit. I heard some grunts and giggled from them. Kyner chuckled and let me kiss him.
"Snorri!" and here comes the triplets.
Humiwalay ako kay Kyner at binalingan iyong mga bagong dating. Mas lalong umingay rito sa aking condo, yes, I'm still living here. Kyner and I actually. Ginagawa pa kasi iyong bagong bahay namin ni Kyner kaya rito muna kami pansamantala.
"Totoo ba iyong kumalat sa Facebook tungkol sa ginawa mong pag-k, Snorri?!" tanong ni Pinky.
Maraming tanong iyong tatlo tungkol sa aming dalawa dahil nakarating din sa kanila iyong kumalat sa Facebook tungkol sa amin. And I answered them all truthfully. About my lies, revenge and deception.
While telling them all about it, Kyner kept kissing the top of my head. I'm really thankful that he's understanding. He never harbors any hatred feelings for me. Despite what I did.
They gave their opinions about it and I just listened. I know I was wrong. So, I'll let them lecture me.
And lastly, Candice arrived together with Dwayne. Nagkatinginan si Kyner at Dwayne. Medyo tumagal iyong tinginan nila like they're talking telepathically. Then Dwayne finally looked at me.
"Congrats," he smiled a bit.
"Ninong ka raw!" Naomi joked.
"No problem."
I smiled at him. Wala akong galit kay Dwayne. Magagalit lang ako saglit pero agad din naman nawawala iyon. Aside from he's like a brother to me, I fully understand his feelings.
I watched my friends happily talking to each other. I don't know why they all gathered here. I never invited them here. It's just a coincidence that they are here. Sila Pinky lang ang alam kong pupunta rito pero hindi ito ang araw na iyon. Biglaan lang din ang pagpunta nila.
I looked at Kyner when he caught my attention. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay dahil nakatitig lang siya sa akin.
"I love you so much, my Mrs. Kertia," he said lovingly.
I grinned. "I love you!"
---
AN: This is the last chapter. Kating-kating na ako tapusin to pero ang tagal ko natapos dahil sobrang naging busy. Now, I can finally set them aside. JK.
Next, Wakas.
P.s. Fall Into Midnight, Simula is up!